Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Sonata finalists for Car of the Year

An electric car, an "extended-range" electric and a conventional sedan are the three finalists for the 2011 North American Car of the Year competition.

The extended-range electric, meaning it has a backup gas engine on board, is the Chevrolet Volt, pictured above. Drive On has already predicted without going out on a limb that it will be the hands-down winner, but we're always open to surprises.

The electric is, of course, the Nissan Leaf and the conventional is the Hyundai Sonata, which has surprised the midsize sedan market this year and will probably hit the 200,000 sales mark.

The competition is chosen by 49 respected automotive journalists, including Drive On's own James R. Healey. Automakers treat the competition quite seriously, and promote a win like crazy when they get one.

The winner will be announced next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. If the Chevrolet Volt wins, it will be the fourth time General Motors has won the North American Car of the Year. Most recently, the Chevrolet Malibu was the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

As for the Sonata, Hyundai won before for the Genesis luxury sedan in 2009. And Leaf would become Nissan's second winner. The first was the Altima in 2002.

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About Chris Woodyard

Chris Woodyard is an auto writer for USA TODAY who covers all aspects of motoring. He revels in the exhaust note of a Maserati and the sharp creases of a Cadillac CTS. Chris strives to live a Porsche life on a Scion budget. More about Chris